By Carolyn Smith, Philanthropy Director, Spinsters of San Francisco & Ella Arnold, Communications Director, Spinsters of San Francisco
This year, Spinsters of San Francisco’s philanthropic partner is San Francisco SafeHouse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 with the mission of empowering and supporting “womxn who are experiencing housing instability and sexual exploitation or trafficking, by creating survivor-centered spaces, services, advocacy, and community education.”
San Francisco SafeHouse is the only residential program in the city and one of a handful of organizations nationwide that works to address the needs of this unique population.
Over its 25-year history, San Francisco SafeHouse has adapted its programs to support San Francisco’s changing populace. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco SafeHouse offered virtual services and food and supplies to its clients. It also started the Shelter-in-Place Hotel, which helped to protect homeless womxn from exposure to the virus as it spread rapidly in the city’s unhoused community. The following year, SF SafeHouse founded the Women’s Housing Coalition in partnership with like-minded organizations Mary Elizabeth Inn and Cameo House to better advocate for housing and support services specifically targeted to womxn. In 2022, San Francisco SafeHouse served 113 womxn and housed 82. The majority of those womxn had some form of cognitive, physical, or mental disability, were womxn of color, were homeless or marginally housed, or experienced sexual violence.
As an organization of professional women that aims to make a positive impact in the community through volunteering and fundraising events, Spinsters of San Francisco is proud to partner with San Francisco SafeHouse this year as SafeHouse gears up to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Our core values of philanthropy and community service align seamlessly with San Francisco Safe House's mission to provide a haven for women in need. Already this year, Spinsters has raised thousands of dollars for San Francisco SafeHouse from our first fundraising event, Fleet or Flight, and we are excited to continue our philanthropic efforts at our Legacy Benefit on March 9th, 2024, and our Kicks for a Cause event in Summer 2024. We will also be supporting San Francisco SafeHouse throughout the year by volunteering our time to help with administrative tasks, clothing and hygiene drives, and more.
Right now, like many other major cities, San Francisco’s most pressing issue is grappling with a significant homeless crisis. As a result, Spinsters feel there’s no better cause for us to serve this year. We are honored to support SF SafeHouse’s efforts to be a part of the solution.
We look forward to a strong and fulfilling partnership between our two illustrious organizations that amplifies the collective strength of women supporting women!